A satanic group has added its own statue to a series of displays inthe government building of the US state of Illinois to mark thefestive season.

Placed between a Christmas tree and a menorah, the four-foot sculpturedepicts a snake coiled around an outstretched arm holding an apple.It's the first display sponsored by the Chicago chapter of the Templeof Satan.

The state government said the temple had the same right as otherreligious groups to have a display.

"Under the Constitution, the First Amendment, people have a right toexpress their feelings, their thoughts," Dave Druker, spokesman forthe Illinois secretary of state, told the State Journal-Register."This recognises that."

What is the Satanic Temple?Founded in 2012 in Salem, Massachusetts, the Temple of Satan describesitself as a non-theistic group that aims to "encourage benevolence andempathy among all people".It says its uses satanic imagery to promote the separation of churchand state and to campaign for "practical common sense and justice".It has 15 official chapterhouses in the US, the biggest of which isbased in Michigan.The temple was started by Harvard graduate Doug Mesner, known as"Lucien Greaves", and an individual known as "Malcolm Jerry".In a speech, Mr Greaves said the group had had "thousands" ofmembership applications since the election of US President DonaldTrump in 2016.Earlier this year, members of a Satanic Temple placed a statue ofBaphomet - a goat-like deity associated with Satanism - outsideArkansas' statehouse during a First Amendment rally.The group also settled a $50m copyright lawsuit against Netflix andWarner Bros last month over a statue of Baphomet used in the TV seriesThe Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Post by MattB.Festive Satanic statue added to Illinois statehouseA satanic group has added its own statue to a series of displays inthe government building of the US state of Illinois to mark thefestive season.Placed between a Christmas tree and a menorah, the four-foot sculpturedepicts a snake coiled around an outstretched arm holding an apple.It's the first display sponsored by the Chicago chapter of the Templeof Satan.The state government said the temple had the same right as otherreligious groups to have a display."Under the Constitution, the First Amendment, people have a right toexpress their feelings, their thoughts," Dave Druker, spokesman forthe Illinois secretary of state, told the State Journal-Register."This recognises that."What is in the Satanic Temple?Fo